Workshop for Yemeni delegation on the Generalized System of Preferences and Rules of Origin

15 - 16 May 2008Palais des Nations

Key Issues

In the context of its assistance to countries engaged in the WTO accession process, UNCTAD will organize a two-day workshop on the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and Rules of Origin in trade in goods, for a delegation of Yemeni officials.

After reviewing the basic principles governing GSP and rules of origin, the GSP schemes of Yemen´s major trading partners will be examined in detail.

Presentations on their national GSP schemes will be made by representatives of:

The European Commission

Japan

The United States

Canada

The workshop will then look at the state of play of current negotiations on:

Rules of origin

Duty-free and quota-free access market access initiatives

The "Everything but Arms" initiative (EBA)

The "African Growth and Opportunities Act" (AGOA)

Finally, the workshop will review the role of rules of origin in regional trade agreements.